The Staffordshire
and Worcestershire canal is one of the most beautiful in the country. It was
engineered by James Brindley, construction began in 1766 and it opened on 28th
May 1722 and marked the beginning of the great canal era.

Brindley's
aim was to reduce engineering works to a minimum, which he achieved by
following the gentle valleys of the rivers Sow, Penk, Smestow and Stour
- a total of 46 miles in length and incorporating 43 locks. Even though
there were once many forges and steel mills along the canal, today it
bears few scars from the industrial revolution and most of it passes through
upspoilt countryside.

It formed
part of his "Grand Cross" design to link the rivers Mersey,
Thames, Trent and Severn. It cost £100,000 to build and was an immediate
success, proving more than a match for its competitors by moving goods
more quickly and cheaply than by packhorse or river transport.

The map
below illustrates the route of the trail between Wombourne and Stourton,
in addition it gives information about points of interest along the way
- just click on the map over place names, red squares or pub symbols to
find out more.

You can
join the trail at several places and also link up with other rights of
way including lanes, tracks, footpaths and the Kingswinford
Railway Walk.

A journey in
photographs from Swindon to Stourton, follow the path of the canal with your
mouse and find the "hot spots" which are not just the "camera"
icons!

One of the
most striking features are the circular side weirs to the locks, designed by
Brindley, they are only found on the Staffs and Worcs canal.

These
experimental circular weirs have sills taking the form of a shallow saucer,
the culvert entrance being a circular hole in the centre, the effect being
that of an enormous funnel.

These weirs
occupy far less space than a straight weir of equal capacity.